Firearm



Aug. 22, 1944.-

K. `.1. LowE FIREARM Filed Nov. 28, 1939 .4 Sheets-Shea?I 1 3g 2? 134. J7 f2 m4,? 4,3 421 I .a7 .az 4.1 .2,4

IN1/mma enxxev I. Lowe ATToR A Aug. 22, 1944;. K J. LOWE 2,356,257l

" FIREARM Filed Nov. 28, 1939 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ///////////////////I l t\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\1 umn H4 YZ ma 94. Ilo. I9

y INVENTOR. annahm S, bouse l BY l myZ-e ATORNEY Aug 22, 1944- K. J. LOWE 2,356,257

FIREARM Filed Nov. 28, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheef 5 J6' n A 3 7 4 4J 273,2 4,4 3 4 77 .f4 1f j?" l/ 10J' :103 al J5? .106 .104 Lv INVENTOR. fenneh lMowe W A TTORNEYy K. J.'LOWE Aug. 22, 1944.

FIREARM Filed Nov. 22s,i 1959 I 4 Shafts-Sheet 4 ze fifi 47 48 i 46 INVENTOR. enne'h 3 Lome I ATTORNEY 2 2 a m 1 al. H. 4 4. 0 M. 0W.. f H 2 f d n M n 3. 3 7 3 4 J Y f W 3 3 2 w 6 g f J d W, 6 a 0 4 4 l .i E I Z 4 Patented Aug. 22, 1944 Kenneth J. Lowe, IliomN. y., assgnor to Remington Arms Company, Inc., a. corporation ofr Delaware Application November 28, 1939; SeraflvNo'.` 306,457

Claims. (01.42-1'7) This invention relates to firearms, and contemplates numerous improvements in the construction and operation of receivers, breech closing mechanism, fire control mechanism and assemblies thereof.

It is one object of the invention to provide a complete assembly including a barrel, receiver, fire control devices, safety, shell ejector and `assembled breech bolt, so constructed and related -as to receive interchangeably a variety of different types of cartridge storing and feeding devices or a manual single cartridge feed; toV the end-that receivers, bolt assemblies, ejectors, triggers and sears may be manufactured in quantity and Ysubstantially completely assembled, and thereafter without material alteration be Vassociated with a desired cartridge supporting storing and/or feeding device to form at will a com'- plete single shot gun, a complete box magazine gun,` ora. complete tubular magazine gun.V

The invention likewise contemplates cartridge supporting or suppor-tingand feeding devices of the single shot, box magazine or tubular magazine typev adapted for assembly with the universal mechanism.

The invention likewise contemplates the use of plastically formed metal tubing, that can 'be cheaply manufactured, for the receivers in place of. machining receivers from solid blocks of metal.

The invention likewise contemplates impr-'ovementsper se in receivers, bolts, bolt components, elements of re controlv mechanism, andfmechah nism for performing the functions incident to reloading. t

With-these and other objects in View, the ini'- ventioncomprises novel constructions and combinations of parts, a representative embodiment of 'which is illustrated: in the drawingsy and will be hereinafter more fully'described.

In the drawings:

Fig. '1 is a side elevation, chiey in section, of a. portion of a firearm chassis, the bolt and lire control mechanism being adapted for use Withno change whatever as a single shot gun or ifi-conjunction with diiferent typesV of' cartridgehandling devices. No parts are shown` which are characteristic andv essential to any one'I typebf cartridge handling, the mechanism being entirely universal'.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1'.

Fig. 3 vis afragmenta'ry sectional side elevation-*corresponding to a portion of Fig.; 1 and anism into a single shot gun.

Fig. 4' is a detachedf perspective of a combined receiver closing ll'er block andf cartridge receiving platform, this in conjunction with the bushing shown in Fig. 4A being all' the parts added to the vuniversal mechanism of Fig. 1 to complete therefrom a single shot gun.

Fig. .4A .is 'a detached. perspective ofa bushing useclinv conjunction with the receiver of Fig. 3.

Fig.. 5 is a fragmentary sectional side elevationcshowin'g thev universal mechanism of Fig. 1 in` conjunction withl a` box magazine. t

Fig'..v6- is a'detached perspective of the parts utilizedwith the universal mechanism of Fig. 1 in the completion of a box magazine gun.

Fig.`-'lV is afragmentary sectional side elevation showing ther use of a tubular magazine with the universalmechanism of Fig. -1`.

Fig.. 8 is a. side elevationof vthe combination receiver' closing, magazine tube holding, cartridge feeding. and assembly block utilizing in completing..` .theA universal mechanism*A of Fig. 1 into -a tubular magazine. gun.-

Fig; a rear end viewof the block shown in 'Figf.f8.` t

Fig;l 10 isi a horizontalv 'section through the block, substantially on the line Ill- I0 of Fig. 8.

Fig.. l1'- is av longitudinal sectional elevation sime ilar: to Fig; 7, butWith the breech bolt retracted.

Fig: 12` is a longitudinal sectional elevation similar to Fig; 111 showing the cartridge being thrust upwardly and forwardly toward the chamberandunder. the'extra'ctors during vthe advance of' the' .breech'bolu Fig.. 13 is a side view of .a universal `receiver detached from the gun. l l t Figi 13A isl an end view of Fig. 13.

Fig; -14 is a bottom View of a universal receiver :detached from the gun'.

Fig.| 15 isa substantially central longitudinal sectional elevation of Vthe universali breech bolt.

Fig. 16 is a vbottom'lview of the universalbreech lbolt.L

Fig.17 is a transverse sectional detail of the .safety mechanism, substantially on the line -.Il -Il of Fig. 1. t 'Fig'.. 1'8'1-'i's a perspective View showing a filler block and a 'cartridge guide.

Fig. 19 is a lfragmentary sectional view showing'the cartridge guide in place.

Universal mechanism The .universal mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1f and"V 2y comprises a barrel' l5 'securedto a receiver` mythe securing 'means' preferably com- .prising'v transverse grooves I1 in the bar-rel and of uniform wall thickness and uniform transverse v dimensions throughout its length, consisting of a length of tube of proper cross section. 'I he tubing may be of the seamless type made in any of the usual convention manners wherein the metal is mechanically or plastically shaped in a heated or cold condition by the use of suitable dies or other similar means. It is .evident that the tubing may be made from a solid billet;v or,

may be made from a fiat piece rolled to shape, then kwelded in any of Ythe usual manners, and then plasticallyvk formed Vto Y the desired contour.

.The ,weld-in such a process usually loses its identity forall practicalv purposes, and the tube is in -effect `a trueseamless tube.' The upper portion may be of an arcuate or cylindrical configuration, both interiorly and veirteriorly,A the interior arc extending throughabout three-quarters of a circumference and providing a bolt receiving portionZl which opens through a somewhat restrictedthroat22 into a substantially rectilinear or rectangular fire control mechanism receiving portion 23,Y comprising side walls124 and 2-5and az bottomwall 26:A It will vbe noted thattlie'throat; 22 is of less, width both inte- ,riorlyjand exteriorly than: the Yportion 23, the

tubular stock of the receiver being indented to provideythis constrictionv and to'insure an adeamate bearing -forthe cylindrical bolt which is housed*in receiverV part'2l.. The interior con-,- striction, however, isjnot entirelynecessary and may be omitted, provided there `is sufficient lbearing present to properly guide and hold: the bolt. It is further apparent that the bolt receiving portion may be made of any desired shapeto properly support and guide Vthe bolt and similarly lforV the fire `control receiving mechanism portion. Within `the boltrreceiving `portion may be 'formed the; shell'ejection port 2l, the transverse bolt Vvhandle hub and 'lockinglug receiving Aslot 29, and longitudinal b olt handle hub slot 30. 'I'he bottom 26of 'the receiver has a trigger slot 3l and a cartridge feedingV mechanismslot 3l l the latter'being utilized in 'all-,but tliesingle shot model. f' r f ff' The universal bolt comprises av main' bdyporl tion 325 of, generally cylindrical.' exteriorconfiguration, having integralttherewith. a rearward extension 33 of reduced' exterior diameter.- YThe extension 33 andV the major4 portion ofthe body V32 comprisesV a cylindrical bore .of uniform .diameter adapted to receive the body of a striker 34,.V The lower mid-portion of the body'32 is transversely cut awaytogive access to the striker, the transverse cut'terminating at theirearrin a shoulder 35 which functions in conjunction with the tubular magazine 'cartridge' feed mechanism Iin a manner to vbe hereinafter described; ,-Rearwardly the transverse cut communicateswith a longitudinal slot which receives the sear for engagement with a searnotch 31on striker 34. The lower forward portion of the bolt body comprises .longitudinal slots 38,and39, which are traversed by cartridge holdingy and ejecting devices to be described. Between slots ,38 and 39.18 e ril?v 40,

the forward end of which forms a part of the cartridge head engaging bolt face and engages the head of a cartridge for the purpose of thrusting it into the barrel chamber. Rearwardly said rib terminates in a shoulder 3S which engages the sear to prevent removal of the bolt until the trigger is depressed, and performs other functions to be described. Extractors 4l and 42 are lsuitably'y Amounted in opposite sides `of the forward end of the bolt' body 32. A spring (not shown) is interposed ina suitable aperture (not shown) in the bolt between the rearwardly exftending portions of the extractors in a conventional manner,

The `rearward portion of striker 34 is prefer- -ably cylindrical in shape, fitting within the bore of the bolt body32. Forward from the sear notchr3'l, the lower portion of the striker body is cut away, leaving a body of substantially semicylindrical shape provided with a longitudinal Vrib 43 adaptedito engage and hold the sear in `depressed position during gthe travel of the bolt. .Integral with orsecured to the striker body is a firing pin 4 4 which occupies a suitable aperture in the forward portion of 'the bolt body 32, said aperturercommunicating with the larger bore occupied bythe strikerbody; Y

`The striker 34 is vurged forward-by striker spring 45. housedin a bolt cap 4S secured yto the extension 33 of` the bolt body by suitable means -such as a p in 4'|V passing through aligned apertures in cap 46.-'and the extension 33. Interposed between striker spring 45 and the striker is a Yspring pilot 48 'comprising' slot 49 which is traversed by theassembly pin'41 during the ,movementof the striker. Said pilot comprises a` forward end 5 0 of reduced diameter which occupies a recess 5l in the rear end ofthe striker, its forward end bearing upon a strikercocking pin 52 and serving to Vretain lsaid pin in place during movement of the-bolt. z The bolt handle-53 is connected vin a suitable .manner with a cylindrical hub 54which encircles rtheforward part of therboltbody extension 33. Intermediate the bolt handle and said hub is a rsquared shank 55, and integral with or secured to thehub 54 and suitably spaced from shank 55 is a supplemental locking lug 5B. Parts 55 and 56 engage the rearward margins of -the transverse .receiver1slot-29' ytolock .thebolt in itsrforward position. When'the boltv is rotated` to unlocked rpositionshank, 55 is aligned With the receiver slot 3 0 and lug 56 is aligned with Ythe receiver throat 22, thereby permitting the necessaryrearward .movement/of the'bolt. Thefstrikercocking pin 52 passes through oppositely disposed longitudinal vslots in-'the bolt body -eiitension 33, its endY portions entering.k substantially triangular' cooking apertures in;theV bolt handle hub 54. When the bolt handle is elevated to unlocked, position, as

heretofore described, the end portions of said pin 1 ciprocated or .when it is removed from the re- "c'eiv'erf The universal firecontrol mechanism' com- .prises a trigger 59 (Fig: 1') `supported between' the side walls 24 and 25 of thelowr portion of the -tubular 'receiver' on 1a lpivot pin 60. Said trigger is urged 'forwardly' by a trigger spring lilY prefer- -ab1yrhusedfin1a-well inV thejtrigger, which well also receives part of-"a spring'pilot 62. projecting upwardlyiifromi the ilppersurfa'ce' ."63v of f the4 'trigger. Said spring i I. through the springpilot n2 likewise 'controls a safetyrinemb'er mounted-.on a vstud E 5 'supported between thefreceiver walls! 2i and 25. Saidsafetycomprises a fooi-,'"BB-L'adapted in' one position "ofl :rotationy to'overlief-the trigger surface- 63, therebyipinventing-movement ofithe trigger. It likewise: comprisesre'ce'ssesiIT adapt'- ed to receive the rounded end? of' the spring pilot 62, thereby yieldingly retaining thefsafety-"in either effective or ineiectivepcsition. The lat`" erally extending hub .168' off the safety. i's-:counterbored and threadedtoreceivefan enlargedthreaded `section 65| (Figs. .ZandflTl of'si'n1dli5'f,h which stud is also provided'with a slotted# head65`21 'The end portion Vof hub 68f' is offreduced'exterior-diameter to enter the supporting aperturef'i'n'- receiver wall '2 5; and comprisesv-opposedfslotsadapt ed to receive lugs GS'projectingfinwa-rdly: from the hub of anfupwardly extending ngerpece-fby which the 'safetyfis shifted'fbetween operative'i and inoperative position.

The sear 1I is supported'ona pin 172- extending between the sidewalls 24 and, 2'5ofthelower part ofthe receiver. Said pin 'likewiseserves 'as a support for devices which vary according to the type of cartridge feedused, as willf hereinafter appear; The Sear projects rearwardly` and iupwardly from its supportv 12,' being pivoted to the trigger 59 by-a'floatirig-pivot 113i and comprising anose14 adapted Afor engagement withv the Sear notch 31 in the striker''. The-forward edge `15 of the upwardly extending-portion ofthe searis adapted to engage Ashoulder13d-on theblt to stop rearward' movement 'of-"th'esbolt', asr Ahereto.- `fore described; Supported "onthefpin 12" iand a screw 1B passing throughfthe y"side-(of: the receiver is a fixed ejector 1'1,the upperportion'of 4which traverses the slot `38` in the f'o'rwardendl o the bolt and is projected therefrom to effect" ejection of a fired shelllas the bolt-approaches the -limit'of its rearward'movement.

In Fig. 5, an optional-triggercushioning device I 35 is shown whichwi'll oppose jthe' `movement of the trigger-after the searhas been'released-and give a cushioning'action thereto. Inrorder'to' remove the bolt', the'r trigger may be pressed so that the plungerj '|39 is depressedsuciently to allow the bolt to be removed over "the sear. Anexternally'threaded'hollowbushing 'I'36` is screwed into a threaded opening I'31 providedin the `base 'of the receiver. The bushing'is closed in 'at 'the top I3?! to provide a guide and' retainingmeansfor the plunger I'39. At the'bottomof'the'bushing. there is provided'` a screw 'plug closureme'mber 'I 4D to retain the `spring 'I4I. in Yplace 'and :allow adjustment thereof.A When.` the-triggerb .'i'sv de'- pressed in the normal operation to release ythe sear and re the gunfthetrigger will'be stopped with a cushioning 'action upon contacting plunger |39. Then, when it is .desired to remove 4the bolt, a further and harder pullon 'the triggerl will move plunger"l3'9 downward 'againstfspring I4I, thus moving Sear 1I frominrfront ofthe path of shoulder 36 of the bolt so 'that' Vthev bolt. may b e withdrawn rearwardly.

The parts thus far described are vuniversal and can be made and substantially` assembled'in the described manner without'reference to thetype of cartridgev feed mechanism *employed* Ca-r- Y tridge feed 'may take a varietyoi forms.' By way of example, 'the drawings illustratefthree*Sentirely different types: rst,`a single'shot" second, a box magazine gun; and, third; a tubularmagazine gun.- The relatively-ffeweand:simple-*parts whichfitisgnecessary.to.add'to the-universal mech'- anismito completea gun\rof'any ofthesetypes will now be'descri'bed. v

Single shotgun Referenceis made particularly 'toFigs 3y and 4. To "complete the single shot gun it is necessary merelyto add tothe universal mechanism-a filler block, separately illustrated in Fig'. 4 and identied byfnumeral 80.whichY block serves the purpose of closing the forward end` of .thereceiver and'furnishinga cartridgesupporting table.-k The upper portionv of. the cartridge supporting filler blockll. comprises lateral ribs-8l andv 82 which `prevent rotation-ofthe bolt and deiinel an trough irr which a cartridgedroppedv into: the` receiver Vthrough the opening. 21 is guided into the ychamber in the forward-v movement of the breechv bolt. The: block is heldin place bythe barreland receiver assembly pins'. I9, itsupper-forwardsurface lyingadjacentf the undersidenof the kbarrel and being provided/.with grooves matching the barrel'grooves I1' toreceive said assembly.- pins. Itf will be remembered that the pin' 12,- which -passes between the two. opposite walls 2li-and 25 of the lower portion of the receivensupports only the sear 1I and the ejector 11; hence; in this model a bushing 83l surrounds the remainder of the length of the pinto prevent undesirable-lateral displacement ofv thesear.. This comh pletes the singleshot arm'.

Boa: magazine repeater The parts peculiar to vthis model are shown in Figs- 5 and 6,l -lAfllerlblock .90 closesmthe forward endofthe receiver andI is `held inplace bytheassembly pins I9,- the lower intermediate portions' ofv which occupy grooves 9| in the-ller block-90 wmatching with the grooves I1 in the barrel. The upper4 rear portion'of the filler block is provided with opstanding lugs-92:, the ends of which provide surfaces which prevent. the-rotation of f the bolt during the' cooking' ofthe striker. The rear face93 of the-filler block-is forwardly and downwardly inclined to pro-vide a guide surface for the-forward edge of a box-magazine 94, from which cartridges aredelivered: one at a time for insertion in the barrel chamber. in thesame manner in which theyaredelivered-from .the tubular magazine feed' box, to bedescribed. The pi-n 12 and screw 16 supporti a yfiller block .95, the forward face'ofA which isinclined-to form a. rear guide for said .boxfmagazinev To the lower face of -ller blockt 95 is secured -by suitable means, such" asv screws 9S, a springpiece 91 which. projects forwardly and downwardly along the rear edge of the-box magazine and: is provided-with ears 93 adapted to eng-age notches 99 in the rear margins of the side walls of the box-magazine, thereby retaining Vit in place; The magazine is 'released for removal by rear-ward pressure upon theel-depending portion of the 'spring which'forms a finger piece HN).r The stock-is -of course, -vertically aperturedto receive the lower portion of the box magazine. Thus by the addition of three parts, namely, filler block 99, filler block and spring support 95- and thespring piece 91, the universal mechanism is completed into a box magazine gun.

Tubular magasine' gun` The parts which are individual to 'thetubul'ar magazine gun are shown' in Figs. A'7 ,to l`12,'inclu sive. The lowerv forward portion ofthe receiver is--occupied bya -ller and lcartridge"'feed block lI separately shown`4 in Figs; 8 and '9. This Ypivoted an actuator or e1evator.| I9 provided with an upstanding arm |20 adapted for engagement .upon its forwardy edge with the breech bolt shouln vder 36, saidforward edge, being inclined' t9 perl '5 yblock` is of substantial length as compared with the ller .blocksutilized in the 'single shot' and box magazine models. It is held in place in the same manner, namely, by receiver and barrel assembly pins I9, the lower portions Yof whichY occupy grooves |02 matching the grooves |`Ifin the barrel. The block comprises a longitudinal bore |03 adapted to receive'the end portion of a tu'- bular magazine |04, the forward endof which is supported below the barrel in the usual .manner. The tubularA magazine contains the usual spring |05 and spring follower |06 by. which the column of cartridgestherein is thrust rearwardly. Aligned with the bore |03 of the -fee'd block is a bore of a diameter suitable to receive the l5 cartridges as delivered one at a time'fron the tubular magazine, the rearmost cartridge coming to rest against shoulders |01 at the end of said bore. The rear end of the feed block comprises a Vertical slot'through which operate the 20 cartridge feeding devices to be described. `The block is likewise slotted vertically above the aforementioned cartridge receiving bore to permit the passage of the body of a cartridge, and the walls vbounding said block comprise Vertical recesses |08 traversed by the rim of the cartridge in its upward movement.

At lthe upper rear end of the block are inturned cartridge retainers |09 spaced by a distance which does not permit the passage of the.: body of a cartridge but does permitthe passage of the cartridge feeding rib v on the bolt, the inturned retainers |09 traversing the grooves 38 and 39. Forward from the retainers |09 are notchesV bounded by the forwardly and upwardly V35 inclined rear ends of r1bs`| I2, said ribs being spaced by a distance which permitsthe passage of the body of a cartridge but not the rim thereof. It will be apparent that as a cartridge is thrust forward from under the retainers |09 byl 4:0 the breech bolt rib 40 the rim'thereof rides up the inclines I I and along the flat upper margins of rib ||2 as said cartridge is moved toward the chamber by the breech bolt rib.

kThe cartridge in the bottom of the feed block in alignment with the tubular-'magazine is yieldingly retained against upward movement from this position by a suitable yieldable retainer: the form of retainer which has been illustrated' (Fig. 10) comprises a stiff wire ||3 lying in a llongi- 50 tudinal slot ||4 in one of the side walls of the feed block. The end portion of this wire are offset and laterally engage the bottoms of recesses ||5 and |I6 communicating with said slot -"|'|4. The mid-portion of the wire is engaged by a '.55

'spring I1 which is compressed by a screw lI I8 held in the side of the receiver. Thus, the cartridge-in the bottom of the feed block 'cannot be accidentallydisplaced upwardly, 'but "a positive pressure `thereon will compress the spring and'permit -its 60 upward movement, its rim traversing the aforementioed verticalslots |08 in the interior `side wallsof the feed block. Other similar and equivalent forms of a yieldable retainer may be employed if desired. 9

YTo move a cartridge fromrits position in the bottom o f the feed block to a position'immediately beneath the retainers |09 at the' propery time, that is when the breech bolt has been fully rewhich is described as follows: UponV the pinY 12 is vthe parts assuming the position illustrated in Fig.

mit the. breech bolt to move thereover (Fig. ll) after'the actuator Vhas 'been rockedk the desired amount by such engagement.. The rearward edge of'arm |2|J is engaged by the breech bolt shoulder 35 to restorer theactuator to normal position yas'the 4breech bolt approachesits forwardY posi- `projecting from vthe actuator into Ia Yslot |24 in nthe feedleven, The feed lever is urgedupwardly -with respect to the actuator by vmeans of a-spring or Vyieldable means |2|-Iv 'compressed Abetween a laterally and forwardly turnedY earV |25 -onY the actuatorand a f oot |26 on the feed leven Preferably, spring retaining pilots |21 and |28 are formed integral with -theear |25' and the foot |26 for retaining the spring; |29 in place.A The actuator ||9 comprises yan arcuate forward face |30 adapted to engage the head'of the rearmost cartridge in place throughout the displacement `of the actuatorv from its normal position. In the lower portion ofthe face |30 is an arcuate recess |3| adapted, whenthe actuator is in its upper- `most position, to receive the rounded end of a pin |32 partially housedl in a recess in t-he feed block and urged rearwardly by a spring |33. The

engagement of pin |32 in the recess |3| Vserves to yieldingly retain-the actuator in lits. uppermost .(operated) position during the forward movement ofthe breech bolt after the bolt rib 40 has moved out of: contact withthe arm |20.

Thefoperation ofthe cartridge feed mechanism maybedescribed as -followsgf When the tubular Ymagazine is loaded and thebreech `closecLthe mechanism is in the condition. illustrated infFig. '1. A cartridge lies in thebottom of the feed block,

being thrustV against the shoulders |0'Ij by the pressure of the column of cartridges in' the tubular magazine, the cartridges beingrurged rearwardly by the magazine spring. The cartridge in the bottom of the feedblock is yieldingly retained against upward displacement by the retainer wire ||3. .The actuatornandl cartridge feed'lever are in-theirlowermost positions, their upper surfaces beingbeneath the cartridge. If

lthe breech bolt `is now unlocked and retracted,

duringV its rearward. movement, -shoulder 'V36 engages and passes oyerthe. arm |20, rocking the actuator ccunterclockwise and elevating the portion thereof in-front of pivot 12. The cartridge `inv thev feed blockwhich.overliesthe actuator and .cartridgefeed lever is engaged bythe upper surface of'said feed leverand, as the actuator is moved, the spring |29,i's. compressed and energy stored therein untilsufiicientforce is exerted upon theA cartridge 'to'l cause theretainer to. yield, thereby 'vallowingvjthe cartridge to lb emoved V.upWr-rr'dly towards the 'inturnedvretainers |09. [This happens 4before the movementof vthe actuator Aisl completed, and since further movement ofthe .cartridge is stopped by the retainers thecartridge feed lever spring |29 vmay VVagain be compressed;

l1. The movement-` of the actuatorrhas .brought the recess l `|`f3,| linto I alignment=with Vthe pin |32 which is Yengaged thereinto-retain theactuator tracted, suitable means are provided, one form of l70,

during forward movement of the breech bolt. As

Y 'the breech bolt completes its rearward movement, Yits face passes tothe rearof the- 'ejector `1I and the firedv shell ywhichhas- ,been extracted from bythe .engagement of the forward edge l of .the

sear."|| withA shoulder 36. As the 'breech' bolt; moves jforward,1r the face of .breech boltrib .en-Vv gages the head of. the cartridge' heldin the top* ofthe .feed block .and thrusts this cartridge for-V wardly out from under the inturned Vretainers Tll. As it passes .from the retainers, saidcartridgefis free .to move upwardly and is soV movedby .the cartridge .feed lever underV the compression. of the r spring, |295 This. movement insures the proper engagement ofthe rimof the cartridge under the claW's of the extractors 4|' and 42.' Thefri'mof" the cartridgethereafter moves; upwardly. along' the inclinedrear edges v|.|| of the ribs -I |,2Vv an'djisj` (Fig. .7) position. .Asthe actuator passes below the rearmost cartridge in the magazine, this cartridge is moved to the rear by the magazine spring, leaving the parts again in the condition shown in Fig. '7.

Cartridge guide In Figs. 18 and 19 there is lshown a modification applicable particularly to the box magazine form of the firearm, although it is to be understood that it may be applied to this or other forms. There is seen in Figs. 18 and 19 a slot |42 which may be cut into the ller block 90 in any suitable manner. A cartridge guide |43 is provided which may take the contour of the form shown and which is carried in the slot |42. A portion may be cut away, as at |44, so as to clear the retaining pins A shoulder |45 cut in the ller block cooperates with the shoulder |46 of the cartridge guide, and shoulder |41 of the barrel cooperates with projection |48, to suitably hold and locate the cartridge guide in position in the slot |42. an inclined surface |49, to guide the cartridges into the chamber. The box magazine 94 preferably has a circular cut in the forward wall, as at |50, which registers with the inclined surface |49 so that the cartridges, as they are carried forward and into position, will have the nose of the projectile thereof guided upwardly and into position so that the bolt will properly push the cartridge into the chamber. This feature is particularly desirable when short cartridges are used instead of full length cartridges.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that by this invention it is possible to materially reduce the cost of manufacture of firearms, particularly where a firearm is to be optionally made with various types of feeding and loading means and wherein many of the parts are identical and may be standardized. The invention has also made it possible to materially reduce the time required and the cost of making rearm receivers which hitherto has necessitated expensive machining from solid blocks of metal.

The invention is not considered as limited to the specific construction shown and described by way of illustration, since it extends to all equivalent constructions falling within the scope of the appended claims, which claims are to be broadly construed.

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm assembly comprising a chambered barrel, a unitary tubular receiver secured to said .barrel and comprising an upper arcuate bolt receiving portion and an integral communicating depending portion, a bolt housed in said arcuate The upstanding portion |48 has portion and adapted toengage and move cartridges "one iatjal'timefinto said chamber, a 'nre controlfmechanismf `Supported and partially housedintheA rear part of said depending portion'andjcooperating withsaid bolt,jsaidldependingportion'ofsaid tubular receiver -being'open atl its: forward; end, the' lower wall of said 'forward endserving as a bridge portion, said -lower wall having an opening `rearward ofA said bridge said forwardrv depending Iportion and barrel Abeing constructed and Iarranged to selectively receive and 'support in' permanently integrated i operative rel'ationshipj'to the-'other parts of said assembly structedhandv functioning fcartriigemfeeding'; dei

' l'25 firearm assembly.` comprising a chambered i barrel=,`1 a-unitary tubular receiver 'secured to; said j bfarreljL andJ comprisingian- 4upper arcuate? boltf re-j ceiving'# 'portionl and"A an integrali communicating depending portion, ar bolt housed lin lsaid arcuate f portion and adapted to engage and move cartridges one at a time into said chamber, a fire control mechanism supported and partially housed in the rear part of said depending portion and cooperating with said bolt, said depending portion of said tubular receiver being open at its forward end, the lower wall of said forward end serving as a bridge portion, said lower wall having an opening rearward of said bridge, said forward depending portion and barrel being constructed and arranged to selectively receive and support in permanently integrated operative relationship to the other parts of said assembly any one only of a plurality of cartridge feeding devices, one such device comprising a box magazine substantially housed in said receiver and another such device comprising a feed box and cartridge lifting devices associated with a tubular magazine.

3. A rearm assembly comprising a chambered barrel, a unitary tubular receiver secured to said barrel and comprising an upper arcuate bolt receiving portion and an integral communicating depending portion, a bolt housed in said arcuate portion and adapted to engage and move cartridges one at a time into said chamber, a fire control mechanism supported and partially housed in the rear part of said depending portion and cooperating with said bolt, said depending portion of said tubular receiver being open at its forward end, the lower wall of said forward end serving as a bridge portion, said lower wall having an opening rearward of said bridge, said forward depending portion and barrel being constructed and arranged to selectively receive and support in permanently integrated operative relationship to the other parts of said assembly any one only of a group of differently constructed and functioning cartridge feeding devices, one such device comprising a closing filler block providing a support for a single cartridge adjacent said chamber, a second device comprising filler and spacer block-s defining a channel for holding a box magazine substantially housed within said receiver, and a third device comprising a feed box and cartridge lifting devices associated with a tubular magazine.

4. A firearm assembly comprising a chambered barrel, a unitary tubular receiver secured to said barrel by means including pins traversing said receiver, said tubular receiver comprising an upper arcuate bolt receiving portion and an integral communicating depending portion, a bolt housed in said arcuate portion and adapted to engage and mover cartridgesv one ata tlme'into` said chamber, a fire control mechanism support-l ed and partially housed in the rear part of said depending portion and cooperating with said bolt, said depending portion of said tubular re# ceiverbeing openA at its forward end, the lower wall-of said forward end serving as a bridge por tion,` said lower wall having an opening rearward of said bridge, -said forward depending portion, pins, and barrel being constructed and arranged to selectively receiveand support in permanently integrated noperative relationship Vto the other parts. of s aidassexnblyany one only of a'plurality ofrdiifrently constructed and functioning oarf tridge'feeding devices. l Y

5i ,A firearm, 35561111.31? Comprising af hambeld barrel@ .awww-tubular receiver Seeured to Seid barrel and comprising an upperarcuate b olt receiving portionand an integral communicating depending portion, said arcuate portion and destructed and arranged to selectively receive and support in permanently integrated operative ref lationship to the other parts of said' assembly any one only of a plurality of diii'erentlyV con-j structed and functioning cartridge feedingrdevices.

KENNETH J. LOWE. 

